Nominations Sought for Annual Neighborlies

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Northern Berkshire Community Coalition (nbCC) is gathering submissions for the annual Neighborlies celebration, a community recognition award night. 
 
The Neighborlies will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 15 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at MCLA Church Street Center, on Church Street in North Adams. 
 
Community members can recognize people who have given their time, energy and resources to help make Northern Berkshire a better place to live and work. Residents are encouraged to consider people of all ages who have performed acts of kindness or made a positive difference in their lives, in their neighborhoods or in their community as a whole. 
 
Anyone may submit individuals or groups in one or more of the following categories: Neighborly Acts, Youth Taking the Lead, Businesses and Groups Pulling Together, Family Support, and Health and Wellness.
 
Everyone being recognized with a Neighborly Award will be presented with their certificate at the Neighborlies celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, where friends, family, neighbors and the public are invited to join. 
 
Light refreshments will be available.  Submissions should be received by Nov. 4, 2023. 
 
There are several ways to make submissions. Submissions can be made online through the nbCC website by visiting https://bit.ly/2023Neighborlies
 
Nomination forms may be picked up and dropped off or mailed to the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition Office at 61 Main Street, Suite 218, North Adams, MA 01247. Nominations may also be called in to (413) 663-7588 or e-mailed to gglasier@nbccoalition.org
 
Send the name(s), address, phone and e-mail of those being nominated, with the category you wish them to be recognized under  and a brief description of the reason. Please include your name or indicate that you would like to remain anonymous.
 
For more information, call nbCC at (413) 663-7588.

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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